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Company:
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Description
Like their British synth-pop peers Tears for Fears, OMD tempered their dance-floor-friendly electro-pop with often somber philosophical or historical themes, their singles moving quickly away from the animated pop of "Electricity" to the slightly less bouncy, if increasingly brooding "Enola Gay." For this 1981 album, considered by many as their best, mainstays Paul Humphreys and Andy McCluskey worked hard to add depth and biotic ambiance to their heretofore largely minimalist electronic music. The results are an often surprising, sometimes challenging collection of unlikely disco-intended songs and soundscapes, highlighted by two of the period's most sullen dance hits, "Souvenir" and "Joan of Arc." This is music to dance to while pondering the meaninglessness of one's existence. --Jerry McCulley
Customer reviews for 'Architecture & Morality'
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Mechanical Music
Despite a sonic palate that occasionally causes some to wonder if I'm the first generation of my family to walk upright, I do enjoy me the occasional bit of synth pop. No lie.
Deep thinkers cozying up to that hoary old theory that living in Detroit for nearly 50 years has made me receptive to anything approximating the sturm und drang of a factory would probably raise their eyebrows to learn that my only visit to one - Ford's Rouge Plant - scared the bejeebers out of me, as much for the toil on display as the cadaver shuffle of the workers. If there had been a window, I certainly would have jumped.
Nah, what really draws me to "Architecture & Morality" is the magnificence of the album's core - "She's Leaving," "Souvenir," and "Joan of Arc" - as majestic as you're ever likely to hear from what amounts to a pile of wire, tubes, transistors, and circuits.
[Friday, August 31, 2007]
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The OMD Peak
It's a slow decline after this album, but this is definitely there creative peak. Rich and evocative, emotional and soulful - all the things that it was believed a "synth" group could not do. One of the best albums of it's time and genre.
[Thursday, November 02, 2006]
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Opinion and Taste
OMD is great because they do title albums with creativity like, Architecture & Morality. They also write songs that run from pure pop to experimental noise. Before reviewing this album I did read the earlier reviews and found as usual I agreed with some comments and disagreed with others. I do love "The New Stone Age" song. However I do think OMD fans have to still get Dazzle Ships. Even if you skip the songs put on A & M as bonus tracks you miss out on the best song they have ever done, "Genetic Engineering"(not only catchy, but a great philosophy lesson), "Radio Waves", and "Telegraph"(I have no idea why they would write about a telegraph, but this is the catchiest song they have written and I actually sympathize with their anger towards the machine even though I never saw one). Three amazing songs. Plus some of the other experimental numbers are ones I enjoy. I guess thinking about it I prefer Dazzle Ships to A & M. Then again I have forgotten some other ace songs off A & M. "Souvenir" is killer. "Joan Of Arc" is everything a song should be and "She's Leaving", "Georgia" and "Maid Of Orleans" are also decent. I have to wonder how "Sealand" has become a favorite as it is the most boring song they have ever written. I also don't care for the title track, but I have a bias against instrumentals. "The Beginning And The End" is neither here nor there. I guess in the end a pretty solid CD with some great songs, but definitely not their best.
[Monday, January 23, 2006]
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